Fave Albums of 2000s: #9

The most recent release, from 2007, on these lists is my #9 selection...

9.  Remedy - David Crowder Band

Will naturally suffer by comparison to its predecessor (A Collision, still to come), but this is a fantastic album in its own right.  This is DCB stripped bare, musically, lyrically, emotionally, whatever.  This is DCB coming to grips with pain, clinging to our Remedy.  Bare, but i wouldn't call it unplugged or anything.  They're still quirky, fun, poignant, deep, all that.

The premier track is Surely We Can Change.  Sometimes at work i need to pull up that link and just listen to the song.

Full track listing.  Most links are live versions on youtube.

1. The Glory Of It All
2. Can You Feel It?
3. Everything Glorious - this is the song we used on our family video for 2007
4. … neverending …
5. Never Let Go
6. O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
7. Rain Down
8. We Won't Be Quiet
9. Remedy
10. Surely We Can Change

This is one that may keep rising over the next couple of years as it dwells in me.

Next up: #8, the best album by my favorite current rock band.  It may or may not be a letdown.

Favorite Albums of 2000s: #10

Starting off the top 10, listing them one at a time, with this gem...

10.  Divine Discontent - Sixpence None the Richer

I love Leigh Nash's voice, that soft, airy, beautiful female vocal.  And i've been a fan of Matt Slocum's songwriting since his days in Love Coma (still have that cassette tape somewhere).  I pretty much wore out my CD of their debut album The Fatherless and the Widow.  

I remember buying Divine Discontent soon after its release in 2002, but life circumstances (somehow, don't ask me what) kept it off my radar screen.  It wasn't until i got my mp3 player loaded that the greatness of this album hit me.  I'd hear a Sixpence song, find myself tapping along and wondering what album it was from.  Invariably, it was this one.  This was an album that snuck up on me.

Their previous album was the one with the giant hit "Kiss Me" and successful follow-up "There She Goes", but this one is the more solid album from start to finish.  The only chart hit was the remake of the fantastic pop song "Don't Dream It's Over", originally a hit for Crowded House.  It's a perfect fit for Leigh's voice, though therein is also the downside, as there's really nothing new about Sixpence's version.

My favorite track is A Million Parachutes.

Breathe Your Name video

Leigh on Letterman, explaining the band's name (in case you were wondering)

Holden Beach

We returned yesterday from our spring break trip to the beach.  This year, we went to a new place, Holden Beach.  Holden is the island next to Oak Island, where we've been twice before.  It is about halfway between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.  A very family oriented place with mostly large houses, and very few condos (and those are 2 stories high at most).

We took some good pictures with Caroline's new digital camera, and i hope to have some of those up soon on the family page (and will post a link here when that is ready), but here is one photo to get it started.  This is Emily & Jackson down on the beach, taken by Caroline...

The weather wasn't great, due to high winds most of the week.  That limited our options.  But we had a good time.

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

Favorite Albums of 2000s: 11-17

See previous post for fuller explanation.  Sorry for the delay.  I somehow lost my tally sheet where i had ranked the albums.  I finally just decided to redo it all, but i'm afraid that i've forgotten something.  Nevertheless, here is my list of numbers 11 through 17...

17.  Arriving – Chris Tomlin

Winner of a Dove award in 2005, this put the Texas songwriter firmly on the CCM map, and had legions of worshippers singing along to his catchy melodies.

 

16.  She Must and Shall Go Free – Derek Webb

Piercing lyrics for the church from the former lead singer of Caedmon’s Call.  Wedding Dress is an incredible song.

 

15.  Get Behind Me Satan – The White Stripes

I have a feeling i would enjoy all of their albums, but this is the only one i own.

 

14.  Add To The Beauty – Sara Groves

We’ll see more from Sara later in our top 10, but this one makes the grade.

 

13.  The Chess Hotel – The Elms

My vote for the most overlooked album of the decade.  Solid, fun, and meaningful Midwestern American rock & roll.  Share it with all your friends, and rock out on Saturday night.  Here are videos for "Nothin' to Do with Love", "The Way I Will", and "Bring Me Your Tea".

 

12.  Learning to Breathe – switchfoot

Their breakthrough album, Grammy-nominated, but not their best.  Three killer songs (Dare You to Move, title track, and Love is the Movement), plus 8 more solid tracks.

 

11.  This Mystery – Nichole Nordeman

Chock-full of well-written songs.  Reflective pop for the introspective, the thinkers.  Check out "Why" and "Fool for You".

 

Next up: The Top 10

If you like this list, just wait to see the top 10.  You’ll either be annoyed that i got the lists flipped, or jazzed that there could be 10 albums better than these.

Rough First Half

My Baylor Bears made the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament for the first time since 1988 (and only the 2nd time since 1950).  Their first round game is today, and is currently at the half.

Not a great start for the Bears.  Purdue is very well coached and disciplined.  They play hard and aggressive defense, reminding me somewhat of Coach K's Duke teams.  Baylor is down by 19 points, a deficit fueled by a mix of sloppy ballhandling and turnovers, some horse shots from the Boilermakers, and that tough defense i mentioned.  Purdue also has an edge on the offensive glass on their end, one part effort and one part lucky bounces.

Sic 'em, Bears!

My Favorite Albums of the Decade

Over the next series of posts, i'll give my favorite albums of the 2000s.  I do not warrant that these are the best, because i've not heard the vast majority of albums released (who could?).  These are merely my favorites.

We'll start with the Honorable Mentions, those just barely not making the list, or with odd circumstances.

Honorable Mention - Special Categories

Diamond Cuts:  Triple Play - this is a compilation of songs related to baseball, the 3rd installment in a series of 9 albums from the non-profit outfit Hungry for Music.  Triple Play is my favorite of the 9 (well, i only own the first 8), led be the stellar tunes "Letters in the Dirt" by Chuck Brodsky, "Remember Me" by Jim Guadet, and Jeff Arundel's "Harmon Killebrew".  I also enjoy Christine Lavin's "Ballad of a Ball Game".

America: A Tribute to Heroes - an all-star collection of artists came together in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 for a broadcast concert telethon.  Not uniformly great, but loaded with memorable performances.  Come on, rise up!

O Brother Where Art Thou? - soundtrack from and a perfect fit for the Coen brothers movie.  I was amazed and thrilled when this won the 2002 Grammy for Best Album.

Honorable Mention - Just Missed

·        Carried Along – Andrew Peterson

·        Woven & Spun – Nichole Nordeman

·        Mountain Soul – Patty Loveless (“You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” is an awesome song)

·        The Way I Am – Jennifer Knapp

·        Films for Radio – Over the Rhine

·        Drunkard’s Prayer – Over the Rhine

·        Good Dog, Bad Dog – Over the Rhine

·        Truth, Soul, and Rock & Roll – The Elms

 

Next up: picks # 11+